COMPONENT SPOTLIGHT

Subaru Outback transmission problems

141 distinct owner reports with a transmission-specific component in this snapshot.

General power-train reports are not automatically counted as transmission problems. Related recalls and investigations must also name this component; they are not linked by narrative keyword alone.

5 crash reports2 fire reports3 injury reports

Reports by model year

Recall and investigation columns show each year’s full history. A report naming several years can appear in more than one row.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

0–25K

25–50K

50–75K

75–100K

100–150K

150K+

91 reports with mileage · 50 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What owners actually said

141 reports

1999 model year · 60,000 miles · Mar 17, 2004

Power Train

WHEN PRESSURE IS RELEASED FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE IT ROLLS BACKWARDS. ALSO, GEARS ARE SLOW TO ENGAGE. DEALER DETERMINED THAT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10063399

2002 model year · 5,000 miles · Mar 15, 2004

Power Train

Read full complaint

I HAVE OWNED A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK STATION WAGON SINCE AUGUST 2002, AND HAVE EXPERIENCED A VERY FREQUENT (DAILY TO WEEKLY) BUT INCONSISTENT HESITATION AND SHUDDER WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. IT OCCURS IN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR, AND IS PRONOUNCED IN COLD STARTS ONLY. THE HESITATION AND CLUTCH SHUDDER ALSO IS PRONOUNCED IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, IN FIRST OR SECOND GEAR - IN THIS SITUATION, THE CAR LUNGES OR LURCHES FORWARD UNTIL THE SPEED INCREASES TO OVER 10 OR 15 MPH. THIS CAUSES A SAFETY CONCERN AT LOW SPEEDS, AND THE START OF ACCELERATION FROM A STOP. HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE SUBARU DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE QUITE PROMINENT IN OTHER SUBARU OUBACKS AND OTHER MODELS (BASED ON OTHER NHTSA COMPLAINTS, AND POSTINGS ON THE WWW.UTLIMATESUBARU.NET (SEARCH FOR SHUDDER OR HESITATION AND YOU CAN FIND HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS). A TROUBLE FILE HAS BEEN SET UP WITH SUBARU AMERICA. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO PERSIST.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10062203

1999 model year · Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2004

Power Train

Read full complaint

MY 1999 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK LIMITED DEVELOPED AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEM CHARACTERIZED BY HESITATION AND HARSH, ABRUPT ENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP. ORIGINALLY THE PROBLEM ONLY AROSE AS THE CAR WAS PLACED FROM PARK OR REVERSE INTO DRIVE. I TOOK IT TO ARMANDO'S SUBARU IN CANFIELD, OH AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. LATER THIS PROBLEM BECAME MORE FREQUENT AND PRONOUNCED. THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP AND THE CAR WOULD JERK WHEN THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED. ALSO, THE PROBLEM STARTED OCCURING NOT ONLY WHEN I ORIGINALLY SET THE AT INTO GEAR, BUT ALSO FROM STOPS AFTER THE CAR WAS ALREADY IN GEAR. I WOULD SOMETIMES HAVE TO REV THE ENGINE MORE THAN ONCE TO GET IT TO ENGAGE AND IT JERKED. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD IT MIGHT BE THE CONTROL MODEL BUT PROBABLY WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS. I DID NOT FEEL THE CAR WAS SAFE ANYMORE BECAUSE I COULD NOT BE SURE WHETHER THE TRANSMISSION WOULD ENGAGE OR HESITATE WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. INCIDENT DATE LISTED IS APPROX TIME PROBLEM FIRST DEVELOPED, IT GOT WORSE OVER TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10060393

2001 model year · Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2003

Power Train

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MY SUBARU OUTBACK UNLIMITED 2001 NEEDS A TRANSMISSION REPLACED AFTER ONLY 74,000. ALL THE REPAIRS AND SERVICE WERE PERFORMED AT THE DEALERSHIP INCLUDING THE 60,00 MILE MAJOR TUNE-UP. ALL THE SERVICE WAS DONE TIMELY AND AS RECOMMENDED. THE DEALER FIRST SAID THE NOISE WAS THE ALTERNATOR AND REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR, BUT THE NOISE CONTINUED. I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER SUBARU DEALER WHO SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND SUSPECTED IT WAS NOT SERVICED APPROPRIATELY. I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER AT THEIR REQUEST. THEY THEN REMOVED THE REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND RETURNED MY ORIGINAL ALTERNATOR, BUT REFUSED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10041409

2002 model year · Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2003

Electrical SystemPower Train

KEY STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH COMPARTMENT. ALSO, HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE SHIFT GEAR POSITION INDICATOR. DEALER URGED CONSUMER TO PUT A TOWEL AT THE WHEEL TO HIDE THE KEYS HOLDER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10042485

1998 model year · Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2003

Power Train

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INTERMITTENTLY, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR. IT GOES INTO NEUTRAL AND WILL CONTINUE TO REV UP TO ANYWHERE BETWEEN 5500 RPM AND REDLINE BEFORE IT SHIFTS. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THE PAST YEAR. IT USUALLY HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE EACH TIME IT IS DRIVEN. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO SUBARU OF SANTA CRUZ IN THE PAST AND THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY A PROBLEM. WHEN THE 'CHECK ENGINE' AND 'AT OIL TEMP' LIGHTS CAME ON, WE TOOK IT TO SUBARU OF SANTA CRUZ. THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER INDICATED THAT THE SPEED SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ONCE REPLACED, THE PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR FOR ABOUT 5 DAYS, BUT THEN BEGAN OCCURRING AGAIN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10041305

2000 model year · 67,000 miles · Oct 1, 2003

Power Train

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A DELAYED RESPONSE WHEN CHANGING FROM ONE GEAR INTO ANOTHER. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED ON A STEEP SLOPE AND PUT INTO REVERSE. THE DRIVER TOOK HIS FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND ONTO THE ACCELERATOR THEN THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS PROBLEM IS CALLED SHIFT LAG. *AK *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10038080

2001 model year · Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2003

Power Train

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND OFF. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *NLM THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD TOWARDS THE FENCE. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10040618

2000 model year · 27,164 miles · Sep 21, 2003

Power Train

Read full complaint

WE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH OUR 2000 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK AS SIMILARLY REPORTED IN COMPLAINT # 766462 (TRANSMISSION LEAKING FLUID, SMOKING, FAILURE). SUBARU DEALER REFUSED TO PROVIDE WARRANTY SERVICE FOR THE TRANSMISSION WORK (2 INCIDENTS BETWEEN AUG 2002 AND MAY 2003), AND ONLY A LETTER BY US IN JUNE 2003 (NOTING PREVIOUS REPORTS IN NHTSA WEBSITE & ELSEWHERE) FINALLY CONVINCED SUBARU USA HEADQUARTERS TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM FURTHER. THE FIX SUBARU PERFORMED WAS REPLACEMENT OF A SEAL BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING, WHICH SEEMS TO LARGELY RESOLVE THE PROBLEM (ALTHOUGH A SLIGHT SMOKE ODOR STILL OCCURS WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS). SUBARU USA ALSO REFUNDED ALL OUR PREVIOUS CHARGES BY THE DEALER FOR PRIOR UNSUCCESSFUL REPAIRS (WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN FREE UNDER THE WARRANTY). THERE APPEARS TO BE AN INHERENT DEFECT IN THIS TRANSMISSION (4EAT MODEL) UNDER HIGH HEAT CONDITIONS, WHICH HAS A LONG HISTORICAL TRACK RECORD IN THIS REGARD. IN ONE INCIDENCE, WE ALMOST INCURRED A SEVERE FIRE ON THE ROAD AND THIS COULD BE A POTENTIALLY FATAL HAZARD. NHTSA SHOULD EXAMINE THIS PROBLEM CLOSELY WITH SUBARU.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10039227

1999 model year · 65,000 miles · Sep 10, 2003

Power Train

VEHICLE HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION.WHEN DRIVING IN 5 TH GEAR THE TRANSMISSION WILL POP OUT OF GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. SUBARU TECH EXPLAINED THAT A PACKING NUT ON THE GEAR SHAFT WAS NOT PROPERLY PEENED. THE NUT BACKED-OFF OVER TIME AND DAMAGED THE TRANSIMISSION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10038649

Related Official recalls

23V755000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch

Nov 9, 2023

Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.

22V485000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:driveline:chain/belt

Jul 8, 2022

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 24, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-22. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 21V-955.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:driveline:chain/belt

Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 24, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-22. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 21V-955.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

21V955000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:driveline:chain/belt

Dec 9, 2021

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2022. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855. Vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall once available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-21.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:driveline:chain/belt

Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2022. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855. Vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall once available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-21.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2022. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855. Vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall once available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-21.

15V502000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Aug 10, 2015

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:automatic Transmission

Consequence: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.

Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Consequence: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.

13V336000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Aug 1, 2013

Subaru of America is recalling certain model year 2014 Legacy 3.6R and Outback 3.6R and 2013 Tribeca vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through June 28, 2013 and equipped with 5-speed automatic transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the parking rod may come loose inside the automatic transmission.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: As a result of the parking rod detaching, the transmission may not be able to be moved from the "park" position preventing the vehicle from being moved or driven. Furthermore, even with the transmission shifted into the 'park' position, the parking mechanism may not engage, and the vehicle may roll away while in the "park" position, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. The recall began during August 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall number is WQJ-46.

10V326000 · Power Train:manual Transmission

Jul 20, 2010

SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 AND 2011 OUTBACK AND LEGACY PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 28 THROUGH JUNE 23, 2010. DUE TO A PROGRAMMING ERROR, A LUBRICATION HOLE WITHIN THE 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS OMITTED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE TRANSMISSION GEARS ARE NOT PROPERLY LUBRICATED, A GROANING SOUND MAY BEGIN TO DEVELOP ALERTING THE DRIVER OF A PROBLEM. IF THE SOUND IS IGNORED AND NO ACTION IS TAKEN, THE GEARS WILL EVENTUALLY BREAK AND THIS CONDITION WILL LEAD TO VEHICLE POWER LOSS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy: SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES BY DRILLING AN OIL LUBRICATION HOLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE INTERNAL PARTS WITH NEW ONES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

02V282000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Oct 30, 2002

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "P" (PARK) POSITION, THE TRANSMISSION PARK MECHANISM, THAT IS INTENDED TO HOLD YOUR VEHICLE, MAY NOT ENGAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION JANUARY 8, 2003. AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE SENT DURING NOVEMBER 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

98V042000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

Feb 20, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. DUE TO POOR WELDS, IGNITION KEYS CAN STICK, SHIFT LEVERS/LINKAGES CAN BREAK AND SHIFT LEVERS CAN MOVE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLIES (EXCEPT THE HANDLE GRIP).

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

Related NHTSA investigations

No component-matched exact-year investigations in this snapshot.